Islamic teacher in Washington gets 10 years in prison for sending porn, extremist videos to 15-year-old girl
- Seitu Sulayman Kokayi, who worked at the University of Maryland and taught the Koran at a mosque in the US capital, said his fate was in the hands of God
- Prosecutors asked for a 25-year sentence, arguing Kokayi used his role to influence young girls and was ‘deep in the weeds’ of extremist ideology
A Virginia Islamic schoolteacher who had video conversations about sex with a 15-year-old student will go to prison for 10 years.
Seitu Sulayman Kokayi, 30, was convicted at trial in Alexandria federal court earlier this year of sending pornographic images to the girl and trying to persuade her to respond in kind.
“Your case is an unusual one,” Judge Leonie Brinkema told Kokayi. “You had an absolutely improper infatuation with this child, and you acted inappropriately on it.”
But, she said, federal guidelines calling for a life sentence were “way out of proportion” for the conduct, she said.
Kokayi lives in Alexandria, worked at the University of Maryland University College and taught the Koran at a mosque in Washington. In court, he apologised to his wife, his family and his friends. Singing in Arabic, he said his fate was ultimately in the hands of God.
“I have many shortcomings and I’ve committed many sins,” he said. “I blame no one but myself.”